Apparatus, method and article for authentication, security and control of power storage devices, such as batteries

ABSTRACT

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. By default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from accepting a charge unless it receives authentication information from an authorized collection, charging and distribution machine, other authorized charging device, or other authorized device that transmits the authentication credentials. Also, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from releasing energy unless it receives authentication information from an external device to which it will provide power, such as a vehicle or other authorization device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/559,038, filed Jul. 26, 2012 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,182,244), which claimspriority to U.S. application Ser. No. 61/647,941, filed May 16, 2012,U.S. application Ser. No. 61/647,936, filed May 16, 2012, U.S.application Ser. No. 61/601,953, filed Feb. 22, 2012, U.S. applicationSer. No. 61/601,949, filed Feb. 22, 2012, U.S. application Ser. No.61/601,404, filed Feb. 21, 2012, U.S. application Ser. No. 61/581,566,filed Dec. 29, 2011, U.S. application Ser. No. 61/557,170, filed Nov. 8,2011, U.S. application Ser. No. 61/534,772, filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S.application Ser. No. 61/534,761, filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. applicationSer. No. 61/534,753, filed Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. application Ser. No.61/511,900, filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. application Ser. No. 61/511,887,filed Jul. 26, 2011, and U.S. application Ser. No. 61/511,880, filedJul. 26, 2011, all of which are incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to the charging and energyrelease from rechargeable electrical power storage devices (e.g.,secondary batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors), which may besuitable for use in a variety of fields or applications, for instancetransportation and non-transportation uses.

Description of the Related Art

There are a wide variety of uses or applications for portable electricalpower storage devices.

One such application is in the field of transportation. Hybrid and allelectrical vehicles are becoming increasingly common. Such vehicles mayachieve a number of advantages over traditional internal combustionengine vehicles. For example, hybrid or electrical vehicles may achievehigher fuel economy and may have little or even zero tail pipepollution. In particular, all electric vehicles may not only have zerotail pipe pollution, but may be associated with lower overall pollution.For example, electrical power may be generated from renewable sources(e.g., solar, hydro). Also for example, electrical power may begenerated at generation plants that produce no air pollution (e.g.,nuclear plants). Also for example, electrical power may be generated atgeneration plants that burn relatively “clean burning” fuels (e.g.,natural gas), which have higher efficiency than internal combustionengines, and/or which employ pollution control or removal systems (e.g.,industrial air scrubbers) which are too large, costly or expensive foruse with individual vehicles.

Personal transportation vehicles such as combustion engine poweredscooters and/or motorbikes are ubiquitous in many places, for example inthe many large cities of Asia. Such scooters and/or motorbikes tend tobe relatively inexpensive, particular as compared to automobiles, carsor trucks. Cities with high numbers of combustion engine scooters and/ormotorbikes also tend to be very densely populated and suffer from highlevels of air pollution. When new, many combustion engine scootersand/or motorbikes are equipped with a relatively low polluting source ofpersonal transportation. For instance, such scooters and/or motorbikesmay have higher mileage ratings than larger vehicles. Some scootersand/or motorbikes may even be equipped with basic pollution controlequipment (e.g., catalytic converter). Unfortunately, factory specifiedlevels of emission are quickly exceeded as the scooters and/ormotorbikes are used and either not maintained and/or as the scootersand/or motorbikes are modified, for example by intentional orunintentional removal of catalytic converters. Often owners or operatorsof scooters and/or motorbikes lack the financial resources or themotivation to maintain their vehicles.

It is known that air pollution has a negative effect on human health,being associated with causing or exacerbating various diseases (e.g.,various reports tie air pollution to emphysema, asthma, pneumonia,cystic fibrosis as well as various cardiovascular diseases). Suchdiseases take large numbers of lives and severely reduce the quality oflife of countless others.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Zero tail pipe pollution alternatives to combustion engines wouldgreatly benefit air quality, and hence the health of large populations.

While the zero tail pipe emissions benefit of all-electric vehicles areappreciated, adoption of all-electric vehicles by large populations hasbeen slow. One of the reasons appears to be the cost, particularly thecost of secondary batteries. Another one of the reasons appears to bethe limited driving range available on a single charge of a battery, andthe relatively long time (e.g., multiple hours) necessary to fullyrecharge a secondary battery when depleted.

The approaches described herein may address some of the issues whichhave limited adoption of zero tail pipe emission technology,particularly in densely crowded cities, and in populations with limitedfinancial resources.

For example, some of the approaches described herein employ collection,charging and distribution machines, which may be otherwise be termed askiosks or vending machines, to collect, charge and distribute electricalpower storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors orultracapacitors). Such machines may be distributed about a city or otherregion at a variety of locations, such as convenience stores or existinggas or petrol filling stations.

The collection, charging and distribution machines may maintain a stockof fully charged or almost fully charged electrical storage devices foruse by end users. The collection, charging and distribution machines maycollect, receive or otherwise accept depleted electrical storagedevices, for example as returned by end users, recharging such for reuseby subsequent end users.

Thus, as a battery or other electrical power storage device reaches orapproaches the end of its stored charge, an end user may simply replace,exchange or otherwise swap batteries or other electrical power storagedevices. This may address issues related to cost, as well as limitedrange and relatively long recharging times.

As previously noted, secondary batteries and other electrical powerstorage devices are relatively expensive. Thus, it is beneficial tostock the least number of electrical power storage devices possible,while still ensuring that demand for such is satisfied.

A portable electrical energy storage device security system for aportable electrical energy storage device may be summarized as includingat least one controller; and at least one communications module coupledto the at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller isconfigured to: receive information regarding authentication of anexternal device to which to connect the portable electrical energystorage device for charging of the portable electrical energy storagedevice, or of an external device for powering of the external device bythe portable electrical energy storage device; and make a determinationregarding allowing the charging from the device, or make a determinationregarding allowing the powering of the device, based on the informationregarding authentication.

The configured portable electrical energy storage device security systemmay be integrated as part of the portable electrical energy storagedevice. The external device may be a charging device and wherein the atleast one controller may be further configured to accept the portableelectrical energy storage device charge from the charging device if thecharging device is authenticated based on the information regardingauthentication. The accepting the portable electrical energy storagedevice charge may include sending a signal enabling the portableelectrical energy storage device to be charged. The portable electricalenergy storage device security system may further include a switchcoupled to at least one terminal of the portable electrical energystorage device and to a cell the portable electrical energy storagedevice, the switch configured to be activated by a control signalgenerated by the controller of the configured portable electrical energystorage device security system, wherein the controller is configured to:send the signal in a manner enabling the portable electrical energystorage device to be charged, such that the control signal causes theswitch to close to complete a circuit such as to allow electricalcurrent to flow from the charging device causing the portable electricalenergy storage device to charge if the charging device is authenticatedbased on the information regarding authentication; and upon the portableelectrical energy storage device being disconnected from the chargingdevice, send the signal in a manner preventing the portable electricalenergy storage from accepting a charge, such that the control signalcauses the switch to break the circuit and prevent electrical current toflow from the charging device. The at least one controller may beconfigured to receive the information regarding authentication via awireless signal transmitted from the external device, and wherein thewireless signal transmitted from the from the external device may not bedetectable outside a specified maximum range from the portableelectrical energy storage device security system communications module.The portable electrical energy storage device security system mayfurther include a tamper-resistant housing within which the portableelectrical energy storage device security system is housed, thetamper-resistant housing configured to destroy an operational conditionof the portable electrical energy storage device if the tamper-resistanthousing were opened in an unauthorized manner. The tamper-resistanthousing may include a frangible portion configured to render an opencircuit to destroy the operational condition in response to tampering orattempted tampering of the tamper-resistant housing. The frangibleportion may be configured to render the open circuit by conductive pathsformed in a frangible substrate of the frangible portion beingconfigured to break in response to tampering The controller may befurther configured to: request information regarding authentication ofthe external device for powering of the external device by the portableelectrical energy storage device; and determine how much energy torelease, if any, from the portable electrical energy storage device foruse by the external device, based on a response received, if any, to therequesting of information regarding authentication of the externaldevice. The external device may be a vehicle and wherein the informationregarding authentication of the external device may be informationregarding the vehicle or a user associated with the vehicle. How muchenergy to release from the portable electrical energy storage device foruse by the vehicle may be determined based on a vehicle performanceprofile of the vehicle. The controller may be configured to cause moreenergy to be released from the portable electrical energy storage devicefor use by the vehicle than for other vehicles having a lower vehicleperformance profile than the vehicle. How much energy to release fromthe portable electrical energy storage device for use by the vehicle maybe determined based on a profile of a user associated with the vehicle.The controller may be further configured to cause more energy to bereleased from the portable electrical energy storage device for use bythe vehicle than for one or more other user profiles associated with alower payment amount for portable electrical energy storage device usagethan the user profile.

A method of operating a portable electrical energy storage devicesecurity system may be summarized as including receiving, by theportable electrical energy storage device security system of a portableelectrical energy storage device, information regarding authenticationof an external device to which to connect the portable electrical energystorage device for charging of the portable electrical energy storagedevice or for powering of the external device by the portable electricalenergy storage device; and making a determination, by the portableelectrical energy storage device security system, regarding allowing thecharging from the device, or making a determination, by the configuredportable electrical energy storage device security system, regardingallowing the powering of the device, based on the information regardingauthentication.

The portable electrical energy storage device security system may beintegrated as part of the portable electrical energy storage device. Theexternal device may be a charging device and further comprisingaccepting the portable electrical energy storage device charge from thecharging device if the charging device is authenticated based on theinformation regarding authentication. The accepting the portableelectrical energy storage device charge may include sending a signalenabling the portable electrical energy storage device to be charged.The method may further include sending the signal in a manner enablingthe portable electrical energy storage device to be charged, such thatthe control signal causes a switch to close to complete a circuit andallow electrical current to flow from the charging device causing theportable electrical energy storage device to charge if the chargingdevice is authenticated based on the information regardingauthentication; and once the portable electrical energy storage deviceis disconnected from the charging device, sending the signal in a mannerpreventing the portable electrical energy storage from accepting acharge, such that the control signal causes the switch to break thecircuit and prevent electrical current to flow from the charging device.The method may further include receiving the information regardingauthentication via a wireless signal transmitted from the from theexternal device, wherein the wireless signal transmitted from the fromthe external device is not detectable outside a specified maximum rangefrom the portable electrical energy storage device. The method mayfurther include destroying an operational condition of the portableelectrical energy storage device if a tamper-resistant housing of theportable electrical energy storage device security system is opened inan unauthorized manner. The method may further include requestinginformation regarding authentication of the external device for poweringof the external device by the portable electrical energy storage device;and determining how much energy to release, if any, from the portableelectrical energy storage device for use by the external device, basedon a response received, if any, to the requesting of informationregarding authentication of the external device. The external device maybe a vehicle and wherein the information regarding authentication of theexternal device may be information regarding the vehicle or a userassociated with the vehicle. How much energy to release from theportable electrical energy storage device for use by the vehicle may bedetermined based on a vehicle performance profile of the vehicle. Themethod may further include causing more energy to be released from theportable electrical energy storage device for use by the vehicle thanfor other vehicles having a lower vehicle performance profile than thevehicle. How much energy to release from the portable electrical energystorage device for use by the vehicle may be determined based on aprofile of a user associated with the vehicle. The method may furtherinclude causing more energy to be released from the portable electricalenergy storage device for use by the vehicle than for one or more otheruser profiles associated with a lower payment amount for portableelectrical energy storage device usage than the user profile.

A portable electrical energy storage device may be summarized asincluding a battery cell; and a security system operably coupled to thecell, the security system configured to allow or prevent the portableelectrical energy storage device from accepting a charge; and allow orprevent energy from the cell to be released.

The battery cell and security system may be housed within atamper-resistant housing of the portable electrical energy storagedevice, the tamper-resistant housing including a frangible portionconfigured to render an open circuit to destroy an operational conditionof the portable electrical energy storage device in response totampering or attempted tampering of the tamper-resistant housing. Thesecurity system may include at least one processor; at least onecommunications module coupled to the at least one processor; and atleast one processor-readable memory that stores instructions executableby the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to:determine whether to accept, for the portable electrical energy storagedevice, a portable electrical energy storage device charge from aportable electrical energy storage device charging system based oninformation received regarding authentication of the portable electricalenergy storage device charging system; and determine how much energy torelease, if any, from the portable electrical energy storage device foruse by an external device, based on a response received or lack of aresponse received to a request from the security system for informationregarding authentication of the external device. The instructionsexecutable by the at least one processor may cause the at least oneprocessor to accept the portable electrical energy storage device chargefrom the portable electrical energy storage device charging system ifthe portable electrical energy storage device charging system isauthenticated based on the information received regarding authenticationof the portable electrical energy storage device charging system. Theaccepting the portable electrical energy storage device charge from theportable electrical energy storage device charging system may includethe at least one processor sending a signal enabling the portableelectrical energy storage device to be charged by the portableelectrical energy storage device charging system. The instructionsexecutable by the at least one processor may cause the at least oneprocessor to, if a response is received to the request for informationregarding authentication, the response indicating the external device ispositively not authorized to use the portable electrical energy storagedevice, prevent any further release of energy from the cell to theexternal device. The security system may be configured to allow orprevent energy from the cell to be released at particular levelsaccording to corresponding levels of authentication by the securitysystem of a external device intended to use the portable electricalenergy storage device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium of a portableelectrical energy storage device security system having computerexecutable instructions thereon may be summarized as including, whenexecuted causing a processor of the portable electrical energy storagedevice security system to: receive information regarding authenticationof an external device to which to connect the portable electrical energystorage device for charging of the portable electrical energy storagedevice or for powering of the external device by the portable electricalenergy storage device; and make a determination regarding allowing thecharging from the device, or make a determination regarding allowing thepowering of the device, based on the information regardingauthentication.

The external device may be a charging device and may further includeaccepting the portable electrical energy storage device charge from thecharging device if the charging device is authenticated based on theinformation regarding authentication. The accepting the portableelectrical energy storage device charge may include sending a signalenabling the portable electrical energy storage device to be charged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elementsor acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of variouselements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elementsare arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are notintended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of theparticular elements, and have been solely selected for ease ofrecognition in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a collection, charging and distributionmachine along with a number of electrical power storage devicesaccording to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, along with anelectric scooter or motorbike, and an electrical service provided via anelectrical grid.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the collection, charging and distributionmachine of FIG. 1, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable electrical energy storagedevice of FIG. 1, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the portable electrical energy storagedevice security system controller of FIG. 3, according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a high level method of operating theportable electrical energy storage device security system controller ofFIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating theportable electrical energy storage device security system controller ofFIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment,including accepting the portable electrical energy storage devicecharge, useful in the method of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating theportable electrical energy storage device security system controller ofFIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment,including sending a control signal to enable and prevent charging of theportable electrical energy storage device, useful in the method of FIG.5.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating theportable electrical energy storage device security system controller ofFIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment,including determining how much energy to release, if any, from theportable electrical energy storage device for use by the externaldevice, useful in the method of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating theportable electrical energy storage device security system controller ofFIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment,including determining how much energy to release, based on a vehicleperformance profile of the vehicle, useful in the method of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating theportable electrical energy storage device security system controller ofFIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment,including causing more energy to be released for a certain vehicleperformance profile, useful in the method of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating theportable electrical energy storage device security system controller ofFIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment,including determining how much energy to release based on a userprofile, useful in the method of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known structures associated with vending apparatus,batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors, power convertersincluding but not limited to transformers, rectifiers, DC/DC powerconverters, switch mode power converters, controllers, andcommunications systems and structures and networks have not been shownor described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions ofthe embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

The use of ordinals such as first, second and third does not necessarilyimply a ranked sense of order, but rather may only distinguish betweenmultiple instances of an act or structure.

Reference to portable electrical power storage device means any devicecapable of storing electrical power and releasing stored electricalpower including but not limited to batteries, supercapacitors orultracapacitors. Reference to batteries means chemical storage cell orcells, for instance rechargeable or secondary battery cells includingbut not limited to nickel cadmium alloy or lithium ion battery cells.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are forconvenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of theembodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an environment 100 including a collection, charging anddistribution machine 102, according to one illustrated embodiment.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may take the formof a vending machine or kiosk. The collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 has a plurality of receivers, compartments or receptacles104 a, 104 b-104 n (only three called out in FIG. 1, collectively 104)to removably receive portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g.,batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors) 106 a-106 n (collectively106) for collection, charging and distribution. As illustrated in FIG.1, some of the receivers 104 are empty, while other receivers 104 holdportable electrical energy storage devices 106. While FIG. 1 shows asingle portable electrical energy storage device 106 per receiver 104,in some embodiments each receiver 104 may hold two or even more portableelectrical energy storage devices 106. For example, each of thereceivers 104 may be sufficiently deep to receive three portableelectrical energy storage devices 106. Thus, for example, thecollection, charging and distribution machine 102 illustrated in FIG. 1may have a capacity capable of simultaneously holding 40, 80 or 120portable electrical energy storage devices 106.

The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 may take a variety offorms, for example batteries (e.g., array of battery cells) orsupercapacitors or ultracapacitors (e.g., array of ultracapacitorcells). For example, the portable electrical energy storage devices 106z may take the form of rechargeable batteries (i.e., secondary cells orbatteries). The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 z may,for instance, be sized to physically fit, and electrically power,personal transportation vehicles, such as all-electric scooters ormotorbikes 108. As previously noted, combustion engine scooters andmotorbikes are common in many large cities, for example in Asia, Europeand the Middle East. The ability to conveniently access chargedbatteries throughout a city or region may allow the use of all-electricscooters and motorbikes 108 in place of combustion engine scooters andmotorbikes, thereby alleviating air pollution, as well as reducingnoise.

The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 (only visible forportable electrical energy storage device 106 z) may include a number ofelectrical terminals 110 a, 110 b (two illustrated, collectively 110),accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z. The electrical terminals 110 allow charge to be deliveredfrom the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z, as well asallow charge to be delivered to the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z for charging or recharging the same. While illustrated inFIG. 1 as posts, the electrical terminals 110 may take any other formwhich is accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energystorage device 106 z, including electrical terminals positioned withinslots in a battery housing. As the portable electrical energy storagedevices 106 may be lent, leased, and/or rented out to the public, it isdesirable to control how and in what circumstances the portableelectrical energy storage devices 106 may be charged and/or releaseenergy, even while outside the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 or otherwise in the possession of users. This control of theportable electrical energy storage devices 106 helps to prevent theftand/or misuse and also enables control of various performance levels ofvarious portable electrical energy storage devices 106. Systems andmethods for charging the portable electrical energy storage devices 106,including a security system for controlling such charging and energyrelease, are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2-7,and are useful in the overall system for collection, charging anddistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices 106 describedherein.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 is positioned atsome location 112 at which the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 is conveniently and easily accessible by various end users.The location may take any of a large variety of forms, for example, aretail environment such as a convenience store, supermarket, gas orpetrol station, or service shop. Alternatively, the collection, chargingand distribution machine 102 may stand alone at a location 112 notassociated with an existing retail or other business, for example inpublic parks or other public places. Thus, for example, collection,charging and distribution machines 102 may be located at each store of achain of convenience stores throughout a city or region. Such mayadvantageously rely on the fact that convenience stores are often sitedor distributed based on convenience to the target population ordemographic. Such may advantageously rely on pre-existing leases onstorefronts or other retail locations to allow an extensive network ofcollection, charging and distribution machines 102 to be quicklydeveloped in a city or region. Quickly achieving a large network whichis geographically well distributed to serve a target population enhancesthe ability to depend on such a system and likely commercial success ofsuch an effort.

The location 112 may include an electrical service 114 to receiveelectrical power from a generating station (not shown) for example via agrid 116. The electrical service 114 may, for example, include one ormore of an electrical service meter 114 a, a circuit panel (e.g.,circuit breaker panel or fuse box) 114 b, wiring 114 c, and electricaloutlet 114 d. Where the location 112 is an existing retail orconvenience store, the electrical service 114 may be an existingelectrical service, so may be somewhat limited in rating (e.g., 120volts, 240 volts, 220 volts, 230 volts, 15 amps).

Neither the operator of the retail location 112, nor the owner,distributor or operator of the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 may wish to bear the costs of upgrading the electricalservice 114. Yet, quick charging is desired in order to maintain anadequate supply of portable electrical energy storage devices 106available for use by end users. The ability to quickly charge whilemaintaining existing or otherwise limited rated electrical service isaddressed in U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,900,entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING ANDDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Jul.26, 2011.

Optionally, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 mayinclude or be coupled to a source of renewable electrical power. Forexample, where installed in an outside location the collection, chargingand distribution machine 102 may include an array of photovoltaic (PV)cells 118 to produce electrical power from solar insolation.Alternatively, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 maybe electrically coupled to a microturbine (e.g., wind turbine) or PVarray positioned elsewhere at the location 112, for instance on a rooftop or pole mounted at a top of a pole (not shown).

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may becommunicatively coupled to one or more remotely located computersystems, such as back end or back office systems (only one shown) 120.The back end or back office systems 120 may collect data from and/orcontrol a plurality of collection, charging and distribution machine 102distributed about an area, such as a city. The communications may occurover one or more communications channels including one or more networks122, or non-networked communications channels. Communications may beover one or more wired communications channels (e.g., twisted pairwiring, optical fiber), wireless communications channels (e.g., radio,microwave, satellite, 801.11 compliant). Networked communicationschannels may include one or more local area networks (LANs), wide areanetworks (WANs), extranets, intranets, or the Internet including theWorldwide Web portion of the Internet.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may include a userinterface 124. The user interface may include a variety of input/output(I/O) devices to allow an end user to interact with the collection,charging and distribution machine 102. Various I/O devices are calledout and described in reference to FIG. 2, which follows.

FIG. 2 shows the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 ofFIG. 1, according to one illustrated embodiment.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 includes a controlsubsystem 202, a charging subsystem 204, a communications subsystem 206,and a user interface subsystem 208.

The control subsystem 202 includes a controller 210, for example amicroprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic controller (PLC),programmable gate array (PGA), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) or another controller capable of receiving signals from varioussensors, performing logical operations, and sending signals to variouscomponents. Typically, the controller 210 may take the form of amicroprocessor (e.g., INTEL, AMD, ATOM). The control subsystem 202 mayalso include one or more non-transitory processor- or computer-readablestorage media, for example read only memory (ROM) 212, random accessmemory (RAM) 214, and data store 216 (e.g., solid-state storage mediasuch as flash memory or EEPROM, spinning storage media such as harddisk). The non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media212, 214, 216 may be in addition to any non-transitory storage medium(e.g., registers) which is part of the controller 210. The controlsubsystem 202 may include one or more buses 218 (only one illustrated)coupling various components together, for example one or more powerbuses, instruction buses, data buses, etc.

As illustrated, the ROM 212, or some other one of the non-transitoryprocessor- or computer-readable storage media 212, 214, 216, storesinstructions and/or data or values for variables or parameters. The setsof data may take a variety of forms, for example a lookup table, a setof records in a database, etc. The instructions and sets of data orvalues are executable by the controller 110. Execution of theinstructions and sets of data or values causes the controller 110 toperform specific acts to cause the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 to collect, charge, and distribute portable energy storagedevices. Specific operation of the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 is described herein and also below with reference to variousflow diagrams (FIGS. 5-11) in the context of being an external device tocharge the portable electrical energy storage devices 106.

The controller 210 may use RAM 214 in a conventional fashion, forvolatile storage of instructions, data, etc. The controller 210 may usedata store 216 to log or retain information, for example telemetricinformation related to collection, charging and/or distribution orcollection of the portable electric power storage devices 106 and/oroperation of the collection, charging and distribution machine 102itself. The instructions are executable by the controller 210 to controloperation of the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 inresponse to end user or operator input, and using data or values for thevariables or parameters.

The control subsystem 202 receives signals from various sensors and/orother components of the collection, charging and distribution machine102 which include information that characterizes or is indicative ofoperation, status, or condition of such other components. Sensors arerepresented in FIG. 2 by the letter S appearing in a circle along withappropriate subscript letters.

For example, one or more position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may detect thepresence or absence of portable electrical power storage device 106 ateach of the receivers 104. The position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may take avariety of forms. For example, the position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) maytake the form of mechanical switches that are closed, or alternativelyopened, in response to contact with a portion of a respective portableelectrical power storage device 106 when the portable electrical powerstorage device 106 is inserted into the receiver 104. Also for example,the position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may take the form of optical switches(i.e., optical source and receiver) that are closed, or alternativelyopened, in response to contact with a portion of a respective portableelectrical power storage device 106 when the portable electrical powerstorage device 106 is inserted into the receiver 104. Also for example,the position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may take the form of electricalsensors or switches that are closed, or alternatively opened, inresponse to detecting a closed circuit condition created by contact withthe terminals 110 of a respective portable electrical power storagedevice 106 when the portable electrical power storage device 106 isinserted into the receiver 104, or an open circuit condition thatresults from the lack of a respective portable electrical power storagedevice 106 in the receiver 104. These examples are intended to benon-limiting, and it is noted that any other structures and devices fordetecting the presence/absence or even the insertion of the portableelectrical power storage devices 106 into receivers may be employed.

For example, one or more charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may detect chargeof the portable electrical power storage devices 106 at each of thereceivers 104. Charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may detect the amount ofcharge stored by the portable electrical power storage devices 106.Charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may additionally detect an amount of chargeand/or rate of charging being supplied to ones of the portableelectrical power storage devices 106 at each of the receivers 104. Suchmay allow assessment of current (i.e., temporal) charge condition orstatus of each portable electrical power storage device 106, as well asallow feedback control over charging of same, including control overrate of charging. Charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may include any varietyof current and/or voltage sensors.

For example, one or more charge sensors S_(T1) (only one shown) maydetect or sense a temperature at the receivers 104 or in the ambientenvironment.

The control subsystem 202 provides signals to various actuators and/orother components responsive to control signals, which signals includeinformation that characterizes or is indicative of an operation thecomponent is to perform or a state or condition in which the componentsshould enter. Control signals, actuators or other components responsiveto control signals are represented in FIG. 2 by the letter C appearingin a circle along with appropriate subscript letters.

For example, one or more engine control signals C_(A1)-C_(AN) may affectthe operation of one or more actuators 220 (only one illustrated). Forinstance, a control signal C_(A1) may cause movement of an actuator 220between a first and a second position or change a magnetic fieldproduced by the actuator 220. The actuator 220 may take any of a varietyof forms, including but not limited to a solenoid, an electric motorsuch as a stepper motor, or an electromagnet. The actuator 220 may becoupled to operate a latch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222. Thelatch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222 may selectively secure orretain one or more portable electrical power storage devices 106(FIG. 1) in the receiver 104 (FIG. 1). For instance, the latch, lock orother retainer mechanism 222 may physically couple to a complimentarystructure that is part of a housing of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 (FIG. 1). Alternatively, the latch, lock or otherretainer mechanism 222 may magnetically couple to a complimentarystructure that is part of a housing of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 (FIG. 1). Also for instance, the latch, lock orother mechanism may open a receiver 104 (FIG. 1), or may allow areceiver 104 to be opened, to receive a partially or fully dischargedportable electrical power storage device 106 for charging. For example,the actuator may open and/or close a door to the receiver 104 (FIG. 1),to selectively provide access to a portable electrical power storagedevice 106 (FIG. 1) received therein. Also for example, the actuator mayopen and/or close a latch or lock, allowing an end user to open and/orclose a door to the receiver 104 (FIG. 1), to selectively provide accessto a portable electrical power storage device 106 (FIG. 1) receivedtherein.

The control subsystem 202 may include one or more ports 224 a to providecontrol signals to one or more ports 224 b of the charging subsystem206. The ports 224 a, 224 b may provide bi-directional communications.The control subsystem 202 may include one or more ports 226 a to providecontrol signals to one or more ports 226 b of the user interfacesubsystem 208. The ports 226 a, 226 b may provide bi-directionalcommunications.

The charging subsystem 204 includes various electrical and electroniccomponents to charge portable electrical power storage devices 106 whenpositioned or received in the receivers 104. For example, the chargingsubsystem 204 may include one or more power buses or power bus bars,relays, contactors or other switches (e.g., insulated gate bipolartransistors or IGBTs, metal oxide semiconductor transistors or MOSFETs),rectifier bridge(s), current sensors, ground fault circuitry, etc. Theelectrical power is supplied via contacts that can take any of a varietyof forms, for instance terminals, leads, posts, etc. The contacts allowelectrical coupling of various components. Some possible implementationsare illustrated in FIG. 2. Such is not intended to be exhaustive.Additional components may be employed while other components may beomitted.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 includes a first power converter230 that receives electrical power from the electrical service 114(FIG. 1) via a line or cord 232. The power will typically be in the formof single, two or three phase AC electrical power. As such, the firstpower converter 230 may need to convert and otherwise condition theelectrical power received via the electrical services 114 (FIG. 1), forexample for rectifying an AC waveform to DC, transforming voltage,current, phase, as well as reducing transients and noise. Thus, thefirst power converter 230 may include a transformer 234, rectifier 236,DC/DC power converter 238, and filter(s) 240.

The transformer 234 may take the form of any variety of commerciallyavailable transformers with suitable ratings for handling the powerreceived via the electrical service 114 (FIG. 1). Some embodiments mayemploy multiple transformers. The transformer 234 may advantageouslyprovide galvanic isolation between the components of the collection,charging and distribution machine 102 and the grid 116 (FIG. 1). Therectifier 236 may take any of variety of forms, for example a fullbridge diode rectifier or a switch mode rectifier. The rectifier 236 maybe operated to transform AC electrical power to DC electrical power. TheDC/DC power converter 238 may be any of a large variety of forms. Forexample, DC/DC power converter 238 may take the form a switch mode DC/DCpower converter, for instance employing IGBTs or MOSFETs in a half orfull bridge configuration, and may include one or more inductors. TheDC/DC power converter 238 may have any number of topologies including aboost converter, buck converter, synchronous buck converter, buck-boostconverter or fly-back converter. The filter(s) 240 may include one ormore capacitors, resistors, Zener diodes or other elements to suppressvoltage spikes, or to remove or reduce transients and/or noise.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 may also receive electrical powerfrom a renewable power source, for example the PV array 118 (FIG. 1).Such may be converted or conditioned by the first power converter 230,for example being supplied directly to the DC/DC power converter 238,bypassing the transformer 236 and/or rectifier 236. Alternatively, theillustrated charging subsystem 204 may include a dedicated powerconverter to convert or otherwise condition such electrical power.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 may optionally include secondpower converter 242 that receives electrical power from one or moreportable electrical power storage devices 106 (FIG. 1) via one or morelines 244, for charging other ones of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106. As such, the second power converter 242 may need toconvert and/or otherwise condition the electrical power received fromportable electrical power storage devices 106, for example optionallytransforming voltage or current, as well as reducing transients andnoise. Thus, the second power converter 242 may optionally include aDC/DC power converter 246 and/or filter(s) 248. Various types of DC/DCpower converters and filters are discussed above.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 includes a plurality of switches250 responsive to the control signals delivered via ports 224 a, 224 bfrom the control subsystem 202. The switches may be operable toselectively couple a first number or set of portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 to be charged from electrical power supplied by boththe electrical service via the first power converter 230 and fromelectrical power supplied by a second number or set of portableelectrical power storage devices 106. The first number or set ofportable electrical power storage devices 106 may include a singleportable electrical power storage device 106, two, or even more portableelectrical power storage devices 106. The second number or set ofportable electrical power storage devices 106 may include a singleportable electrical power storage device 106, two, or even more portableelectrical power storage devices 106. The portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 are represented in FIG. 2 as loads L₁,L₂-L_(N).

The communications subsystem 206 may additionally include one or morecommunications modules or components which facilitate communicationswith the various components of a back end or back office system 120(FIG. 1) and/or various components of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106. The communications subsystem 206 may, for example,include one or more modems 252 or one or more Ethernet or other types ofcommunications cards or components 254. A port 256 a of the controlsubsystem 202 may communicatively couple the control subsystem 202 witha port 256 b of the communications subsystem 206. The communicationssubsystem 206 may provide wired and/or wireless communications. Forexample, the communications subsystem 206 may provide componentsenabling short range (e.g., via Bluetooth, near field communication(NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID) components and protocols)or longer range wireless communications (e.g., over a wireless LAN,satellite, or cellular network) with various other devices external tothe collection, charging and distribution machine 102, including theportable electrical energy storage devices 106. The communicationssubsystem 206 may include one or more ports, wireless receivers,wireless transmitters or wireless transceivers to provide wirelesssignal paths to the various remote components or systems. The remotecommunications subsystem 206 may include one or more bridges or routerssuitable to handle network traffic including switched packet typecommunications protocols (TCP/IP), Ethernet or other networkingprotocols.

The user interface system 208 includes one or more user input/output(I/O) components. For example, user interface system 208 may include atouch screen display 208 a, operable to present information and agraphical user interface (GUI) to an end user and to receive indicationsof user selections. The user interface system 208 may include a keyboardor keypad 208 b, and/or a cursor controller (e.g., mouse, trackball,trackpad) (not illustrated) to allow an end user to enter informationand/or select user selectable icons in a GUI. The user interface system208 may include a speaker 208 c to provide aural messages to an end userand/or a microphone 208 d to receive spoken user input such as spokencommands.

The user interface system 208 may include a card reader 208 e to readinformation from card type media 209. The card reader 208 e may take avariety of forms. For instance, the card reader 208 e may take the formof, or include, a magnetic stripe reader for reading information encodedin a magnetic stripe carried by a card 209. For instance, the cardreader 208 e may take the form of, or include, a machine-readable symbol(e.g., barcode, matrix code) card reader for reading information encodedin a machine-readable symbol carried by a card 209. For instance, thecard reader 208 e may take the form of, or include, a smart card readerfor reading information encoded in a non-transitory medium carried by acard 209. Such may, for instance, include media employing radiofrequency identification (RFID) transponders or electronic payment chips(e.g., near filed communications (NFC) chips). Thus, the card reader 208e may be able to read information from a variety of card media 209, forinstance credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, prepaid cards, as wellas identification media such as drivers licenses. The card reader 208 emay also be able to read information encoded in a non-transitory mediumcarried by the portable electrical energy storage devices 106, and mayalso include RFID transponders, transceivers, NFC chips and/or othercommunication devices to communicate information to the portableelectrical energy storage devices 106 (e.g., for authentication of theportable electrical energy storage devices 106 and/or authentication ofthe collection, charging and distribution machine 102 to the portableelectrical energy storage devices 106).

The user interface system 208 may include a bill acceptor 208 f and avalidator and/or coin acceptor 208 g to accept and validate cashpayments. Such may be highly useful in servicing populations who lackaccess to credit. Bill acceptor and validator 208 f and/or coin acceptor208 g may take any variety of forms, for example those that arecurrently commercially available and used in various vending machinesand kiosks.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z of FIG. 1, according to one non-limiting illustratedembodiment.

Shown is a portable electrical energy storage device housing 302,electrical terminals 110 a, 110 b, a battery cell 304, security systemcontroller 306, and a secure access panel 314. The battery cell 304 isany rechargeable type of electrochemical cell that converts storedchemical energy into electrical energy. As described above, theelectrical terminals 110 a, 110 b are accessible from an exterior of theportable electrical energy storage device 106 z. The electricalterminals 110 allow charge to be delivered from the portable electricalenergy storage device 106 z, as well as allow charge to be delivered tothe portable electrical energy storage device 106 z for charging orrecharging the same through conductive terminal connections 312 a and312 b to the battery cell 304. While illustrated in FIG. 3 as posts, theelectrical terminals 110 a and 110 b may take any other form which isaccessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z, including electrical terminals positioned within slots inthe battery housing 302.

Operably coupled to terminal lines 312 a and 312 b and the securitysystem controller 308 are two switches 310 a and 310 b electronicallycontrolled by the security system controller 306. In a closed position,the switches 310 a and 310 b operate to complete a circuit allowingelectrical current to flow from or be delivered to the portableelectrical energy storage device 106 z. In an open position, theswitches 310 a and 310 b operate to break the circuit, preventingelectrical current from flowing from and preventing electrical currentfrom being delivered to the portable electrical energy storage device106 z. In some embodiments, the switches 310 a and 310 b may be any typeof electronic or electromechanical switch responsive to signals receivedfrom the security system controller 308. The switches 310 a and 310 bmay include various electrical and/or electronic components includingvarious types of actuators, contacts, relays, rectifiers, powertransistors, IGBTs, and/or MOSFETs, etc.

In some embodiments, the portable electric storage device 106 z is bydefault in a state where it cannot accept a charge unless it receivesauthentication from the charging device or other external device (e.g.,via a wireless signal). For example, such authentication may be madebased on information received via components enabling short range (e.g.,via Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), radio frequencyidentification (RFID) components and protocols) or longer range wirelesscommunications (e.g., over a wireless LAN, satellite, or cellularnetwork) with various other devices external to the portable electricstorage device 106 z. The information received on which theauthentication may be based may include, but is not limited to, one ormore of a code, a password, electronic credentials, electronic securitycertificate, encrypted data, encryption key, electronic key, etc.

The security system controller 306 is configured to send a signal toopen or close the switches 310 a and 310 b based on an authenticationfrom an external device to which the portable electric storage device106 z is to be connected to receive a charge or to deliver energy. Theportable electric storage device security system controller 306 is alsoconfigured to regulate the amount of energy to release from the portableelectric storage device 106 z, if any, when both switches 310 a and 310b are in the open position, via regulating current flowing through theportable electric storage device security system controller 306 on lines314 a and 314 b coupled to the terminals 110 a and 110 b and theportable electric storage device security system controller 306, andline 308 coupled to the portable electric storage device security systemcontroller 306 and the battery cell 304. The regulation of the energyrelease from the portable electric storage device 106 z may be inresponse to various information or other wireless signals from devicesexternal to the portable electric storage device 106 z. For example, insome instances, a user may select a desired power or performance levelof the portable electric storage device 106 z at the point of purchase,rent or exchange at the collection, charging and distribution machine102, and paying a premium for doing so. Also, the amount of energyreleased may depend on one or more of the following as indicated byinformation received by the portable electric storage device securitysystem controller 306: a user profile, a vehicle profile of a user, thesubscription level of the user, particular promotions being offeredrelated to the identified user or to general users, demographicinformation of the user such as (income level, gender, age, net worth,marital status, etc.).

The housing 302 is constructed of a polymer or other durable material ofsufficient thickness to protect the battery cell 304 and portableelectric storage device security system controller 306 from outsideelements and tampering. For example the walls of the housing may be atleast approximately 0.25 inch thick and completely surround the batterycell 304 and portable electric storage device security system controller306 (except for in some embodiments a small vent hole in the housing)such that the battery cell 304 and portable electric storage devicesecurity system controller 306 cannot be accessed without a key or otherspecialized tool to open a locked access panel 314.

One or more portions of the security system controller 306 may beconstructed to be either tamper-proof, tamper resistant, or tamperindicative. For example, one or more portions may be frangible, anddesigned to render an open circuit in response to tampering or attemptedtampering. For instance, one or more switches 310 or electrical leads,traces, or conductive paths may be formed in a frangible substrate,which breaks in response to tampering. The frangible substrate may takeany of a large variety of forms including glasses, ceramics, or evenmore traditional circuit board materials if suitably thin as to tear,rip, or break if subject to forces associated or expected to be appliedif tampered. In some instances, it may be sufficient if the electricallead, trace, or conductive path is frangible, while the substrate (e.g.,circuit board, housing 202) is not frangible. For instance, such may beaccomplished where the substrate is sufficiently complaint that thesubstrate will bend without breaking, while the bending causes adiscontinuity to occur in the electrical path. Alternatively, astructure such as a blade or knife may be triggered by attemptedtampering, to sever the electrical path, resulting in an open circuitcondition which renders the portable electrical energy storage device106 z inoperable.

The housing 302 may provide a protection to prevent or deter tampering,and may be formed of suitably strong and resilient materials (e.g., ABSplastic). Such may not only prevent or deter tampering, but may leave avisible indication of any tampering attempts. For example, the housing302 may include a strong outer layer of a first color (e.g., black)within an inner layer of a second color (e.g., fluorescent orange) therebeneath. Such will render attempts to cut through the housing 302visibly apparent.

It is also noted that the housing 302 may serve as the aforementionedsubstrate, or a frangible substrate may be secured to an inner portionof the housing, for instance, via suitable adhesives. Thus, tamperingwith the housing may break or damage a circuit connection, againrendering the device inoperable.

In some embodiments, some or all of the components of the portableelectric storage device security system controller 306 may be locatedoutside of the portable electric storage device 106 z as a separatedevice that actuates the switches 310 a and 310 b (e.g., via a wirelesscontrol signal). Also additional or fewer switches may be usedsufficient to prevent or allow the flow of current to and from thebattery cell 304.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the portable electrical energy storagedevice security system controller 306 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, according toone non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

The portable electric storage device security system controller 306includes a controller 410, a communications subsystem 406, and a powerinterface/manager.

The controller 410, for example is a microprocessor, microcontroller,programmable logic controller (PLC), programmable gate array (PGA),application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or another controllercapable of receiving signals from various sensors, performing logicaloperations, and sending signals to various components. Typically, thecontroller 410 may take the form of a microprocessor (e.g., INTEL, AMD,ATOM). The portable electric storage device security system controller306 may also include one or more non-transitory processor- orcomputer-readable storage media, for example read only memory (ROM) 412,random access memory (RAM) 414, and other storage 416 (e.g., solid-statestorage media such as flash memory or EEPROM, spinning storage mediasuch as hard disk). The non-transitory processor- or computer-readablestorage media 412, 414, 416 may be in addition to any non-transitorystorage medium (e.g., registers) which is part of the controller 410.The portable electric storage device security system controller 306 mayinclude one or more buses 418 (only one illustrated) coupling variouscomponents together, for example one or more power buses, instructionbuses, data buses, etc.

As illustrated, the ROM 412, or some other one of the non-transitoryprocessor- or computer-readable storage media 412, 414, 416, storesinstructions and/or data or values for variables or parameters. The setsof data may take a variety of forms, for example a lookup table, a setof records in a database, etc. The instructions and sets of data orvalues are executable by the controller 410. Execution of theinstructions and sets of data or values causes the controller 410 toperform specific acts to cause the portable electric storage devicesecurity system controller 306 to generate control signals to allow orprevent the portable electric storage device 106 z from accepting acharge or releasing energy, or otherwise regulate the release of energyfrom the portable electric storage device 106 z. Specific operation ofthe portable electric storage device security system controller 306 isdescribed herein and also below with reference to various flow diagrams(FIGS. 5-11).

The controller 410 may use RAM 414 in a conventional fashion, forvolatile storage of instructions, data, etc. The controller 410 may usedata store 416 to log or retain information, for example, informationregarding user profile information, vehicle profile information,security codes, credentials, security certificates, passwords, thesubscription level of users, particular promotions being offered relatedto the identified user or to general users, demographic information ofusers such as (income level, gender, age, net worth, marital status,etc.), information regarding user vehicle locations and telematic and/ortelemetric user vehicle information, information regarding portableelectrical energy storage device charge capacity, information regardingroute information of users, etc. The instructions are executable by thecontroller 410 to control operation of the portable electric storagedevice security system controller 306 in response to input from remotesystems such as those of external devices including but not limited to:charging devices, vehicles, user identification devices (cards,electronic keys, etc.) vehicles, collection, charging and distributionmachines, collection, charging and distribution machine service systems,user mobile devices, user vehicles, and end user or operator input, andusing data or values for the variables or parameters.

The control subsystem 402 may also receive signals from various sensorsand/or components of an external device via the communications subsystem206 of collection, charging and distribution machine 102. Thisinformation may include information that characterizes or is indicativeof the authenticity, authorization level, operation, status, orcondition of such components.

The communications subsystem 406 may include one or more communicationsmodules or components which facilities communications with the variouscomponents of external devices and also the various components of thecollection, charging and distribution machine 102 of FIG. 1 (e.g., suchas to receive software updates or data updates of user profile, vehicleprofile and/or promotional campaign information) and one or more usermobile communication devices, such that data may be exchanged betweenthe devices for authentication purposes. The communications subsystem406 may provide wired and/or wireless communications. The communicationssubsystem 406 may include one or more ports, wireless receivers,wireless transmitters or wireless transceivers to provide wirelesssignal paths to the various remote components or systems. Thecommunications subsystem 406 may, for example, include componentsenabling short range (e.g., via Bluetooth, near field communication(NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID) components and protocols)or longer range wireless communications (e.g., over a wireless LAN,satellite, or cellular network) and may include one or more modems 452or one or more Ethernet or other types of communications cards orcomponents 454 for doing so. The remote communications subsystem 406 mayinclude one or more bridges or routers suitable to handle networktraffic including switched packet type communications protocols(TCP/IP), Ethernet or other networking protocols.

In some embodiments, some or all of the components of the portableelectric storage device security system controller 306 may be locatedoutside of the portable electric storage device 106 z as a separatedevice that actuates the switches 310 a and 310 b of the portableelectric storage device 106 z (e.g., via a wireless control signal) sentvia the communications subsystem 406.

The Power Interface/Manager 420 is controllable by the controller 410and is configured to provide power to the portable electric storagedevice security system controller 306 from either the battery cell 304or external device. Also, the Power Interface/Manager 420 is configuredto regulate the release of power from the portable electric storagedevice 106 z according to control signals received from the controller410 and includes various components operable for doing so such aselectrical transformers, converters, rectifiers, etc.

FIG. 5 shows a high level method 500 of operating the portableelectrical energy storage device security system controller 306 of FIGS.3 and 4, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

At 502, the portable electric storage device 106 z receives informationregarding authentication of an external device to which to connect theportable electric storage device 106 z for charging of the portableelectric storage device 106 z or for powering of the external device bythe portable electrical energy storage device.

At 504, the portable electric storage device 106 z makes a determinationregarding allowing the charging from the device, or makes adetermination, regarding allowing the powering of the device, based onthe information regarding authentication.

FIG. 6 shows a low level method 600 of operating the portable electricalenergy storage device security system controller 306 of FIGS. 3 and 4,according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, includingaccepting the portable electrical energy storage device charge, usefulin the method of FIG. 5.

At 602, the portable electric storage device security system controller306 accepts the portable electrical energy storage device charge fromthe charging device if the charging device is authenticated based on theinformation regarding authentication.

FIG. 7 shows a low level method 700 of operating the portable electricalenergy storage device security system controller 306 of FIGS. 3 and 4,according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, including sendinga control signal to enable and prevent charging of the portableelectrical energy storage device, useful in the method of FIG. 5.

At 702, the portable electric storage device security system controller306 sends the signal in a manner enabling the portable electrical energystorage device to be charged, such that the control signal causes aswitch to close to complete a circuit and allow electrical current toflow from the charging device causing the portable electrical energystorage device to charge if the charging device is authenticated basedon the information regarding authentication.

At 704, once the portable electrical energy storage device isdisconnected from the charging device, the portable electric storagedevice security system controller 306 sends the signal in a mannerpreventing the portable electrical energy storage from accepting acharge, such that the control signal causes the switch to break thecircuit and prevent electrical current to flow from the charging device.

FIG. 8 shows a low level method 800 of operating the portable electricalenergy storage device security system controller 306 of FIGS. 3 and 4,according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, includingdetermining how much energy to release, if any, from the portableelectrical energy storage device for use by the external device, usefulin the method of FIG. 5.

At 802, the portable electric storage device security system controller306 requests information regarding authentication of the external devicefor powering of the external device by the portable electrical energystorage device.

At 803, the portable electric storage device security system controller306 determines how much energy to release, if any, from the portableelectrical energy storage device for use by the external device, basedon a response received, if any, to the requesting of informationregarding authentication of the external device.

FIG. 9 shows a low level method 900 of operating the portable electricalenergy storage device security system controller 306 of FIGS. 3 and 4,according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, includingdetermining how much energy to release, based on a vehicle performanceprofile of the vehicle, useful in the method of FIG. 8.

At 902, the portable electric storage device security system controller306 determines how much energy to release from the portable electricalbased on the vehicle performance profile of the vehicle.

FIG. 10 shows a low level method 1000 of operating the portableelectrical energy storage device security system controller 306 of FIGS.3 and 4, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, includingcausing more energy to be released for a certain vehicle performanceprofile, useful in the method of FIG. 9.

At 1002, the portable electric storage device security system controller306 causes more energy to be released from the portable electricalenergy storage device for use by the vehicle than for other vehicleshaving a lower vehicle performance profile than the vehicle.

FIG. 11 shows a low level method 1100 of operating the portableelectrical energy storage device security system controller of FIG. 3,according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, includingdetermining how much energy to release based on a user profile, usefulin the method of FIG. 8.

At 1102, the portable electric storage device security system controller306 causes more energy to be released from the portable electricalenergy storage device for use by the vehicle than for one or more otheruser profiles associated with a lower payment amount for portableelectrical energy storage device usage than the user profile.

For example, if the user pays a higher premium or subscription rate,then the user may qualify for an portable electric storage device 106 zwith higher performance characteristics, such as a higher power output.

The various methods described herein may include additional acts, omitsome acts, and/or may perform the acts in a different order than set outin the various flow diagrams.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, schematics,and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, schematics, and examplescontain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that each function and/or operation withinsuch block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, thepresent subject matter may be implemented via one or moremicrocontrollers. However, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can beequivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits (e.g.,Application Specific Integrated Circuits or ASICs), as one or morecomputer programs executed by one or more computers (e.g., as one ormore programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or moreprograms executed by on one or more controllers (e.g., microcontrollers)as one or more programs executed by one or more processors (e.g.,microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof,and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for thesoftware and/or firmware would be well within the skill of one ofordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this disclosure.

When logic is implemented as software and stored in memory, logic orinformation can be stored on any non-transitory computer-readable mediumfor use by or in connection with any processor-related system or method.In the context of this disclosure, a memory is a nontransitory computer-or processor-readable storage medium that is an electronic, magnetic,optical, or other physical device or means that non-transitorilycontains or stores a computer and/or processor program. Logic and/or theinformation can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use byor in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, orother system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructionsassociated with logic and/or information.

In the context of this specification, a “computer-readable medium” canbe any physical element that can store the program associated with logicand/or information for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, and/or device. The computer-readable mediumcan be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatusor device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer readable medium would include the following: a portablecomputer diskette (magnetic, compact flash card, secure digital, or thelike), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory),a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), and digital tape.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. To the extent that they are not inconsistent withthe specific teachings and definitions herein, all of the U.S. patents,U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreignpatents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publicationsreferred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application DataSheet, including but not limited to: U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/511,900 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORCOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH ASBATTERIES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/647,936 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORCOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH ASBATTERIES” and filed May 16, 2012, U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/534,753 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORREDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BETWEENCOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011,U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,761 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROLOF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011,U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,772 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROLOF POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BASED ON USER PROFILES” andfiled Sep. 14, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/511,887 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTORDRIVE VEHICLES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/647,941 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OFCOMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed May 16, 2012,U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,880 entitled“DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY” andfiled Jul. 26, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/557,170 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICALSECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES” and filed Nov. 8, 2011,U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/581,566 entitledAPPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COMPARTMENT′and filed Dec. 29, 2011, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/601,404 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING VEHICLEDIAGNOSTIC DATA” and filed Feb. 21, 2012, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/601,949 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLEFOR PROVIDING LOCATIONS OF POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING ANDDISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Feb. 22, 2012, and U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/601,953 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD ANDARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWERSTORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING ANDDISTRIBUTION MACHINE” and filed Feb. 22, 2012, U.S. application Ser. No.13/559,314, filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke, MatthewWhiting Taylor and Huang-Cheng Hung as inventors and entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTINGPOWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES”, U.S. Application Ser. No.13/559,264, filed on Jul. 26, 2012 naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke andMatthew Whiting Taylor as inventors and entitled “DYNAMICALLY LIMITINGVEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY”, U.S. application Ser. No.13/559,054, filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Matthew Whiting Taylor,Yi-Tsung Wu, Hok-Sum Horace Luke and Huang-Cheng Hung as inventors andentitled “APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF POWERSTORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES”, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/559,390,filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Ching Chen, Hok-Sum Horace Luke, MatthewWhiting Taylor, Yi-Tsung Wu as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHODAND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA”, U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/559,343, filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Yi-Tsung Wu, MatthewWhiting Taylor, Hok-Sum Horace Luke and Jung-Hsiu Chen as inventors andentitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATIONREGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGEDEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE”, and U.S.application Ser. No. 13/559,064, filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-SumHorace Luke, Yi-Tsung Wu, Jung-Hsiu Chen, Yulin Wu, Chien Ming Huang,TsungTing Chan, Shen-Chi Chen and Feng Kai Yang as inventors andentitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR RESERVING POWER STORAGEDEVICES AT RESERVING POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING ANDDISTRIBUTION MACHINES” are incorporated herein by reference, in theirentirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, toemploy systems, circuits and concepts of the various patents,applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

While generally discussed in the environment and context of collection,charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devicesfor use with personal transportation vehicle such as all-electricscooters and/or motorbikes, the teachings herein can be applied in awide variety of other environments, including other vehicular as well asnon-vehicular environments.

The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what isdescribed in the Abstract of the Disclosure, is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed.Although specific embodiments and examples are described herein forillustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as willbe recognized by those skilled in the relevant art.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A portable electrical energy storage device security systemfor a portable electrical energy storage device, comprising: acontroller; and a communications module coupled to the controller,wherein the controller is configured to: receive information toauthenticate a vehicle; make a determination to allow the vehicle to bepowered by the portable electrical energy storage device based on thereceived information; and regulate an energy release from the portableelectrical energy storage device based on a desired power level in thereceived information wherein the desired power level is determined basedon a vehicle profile associated with the vehicle.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the system is integrated as part of the portable electricalenergy storage device by being housed within a housing of the portableelectrical energy storage device.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to regulate the energy release by sending asignal enabling the portable electrical energy storage device to deliverenergy to power the vehicle.
 4. The system of claim 3, furthercomprising: a switch coupled to a terminal of the portable electricalenergy storage device and to a cell of the portable electrical energystorage device, the switch being configured to be activated by a controlsignal generated by the controller, wherein the controller is configuredto: send the control signal to cause the switch to close to complete acircuit to allow electrical current to flow from the portable electricalenergy storage device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controlleris configured to receive the information to authenticate the vehicle viaa wireless signal transmitted from the vehicle, and wherein the wirelesssignal transmitted from the vehicle is not detectable outside aspecified maximum range from the communications module.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a tamper-resistant housing within which thesystem is housed, the tamper-resistant housing being configured todestroy an operational condition of the portable electrical energystorage device if the tamper-resistant housing were opened in anunauthorized manner.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein thetamper-resistant housing includes a frangible portion configured torender an open circuit to destroy the operational condition in responseto tampering of the tamper-resistant housing.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein the frangible portion is configured to render the open circuitby conductive paths formed in a frangible substrate of the frangibleportion being configured to break in response to tampering.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the received information is received from adevice external to the portable electrical energy storage device. 10.The system of claim 9, wherein the desired power level is selected at apoint of purchase, rent or exchange of the portable electrical energystorage device or at a portable electrical energy storage devicecollection, charging and distribution machine.
 11. The system of claim1, wherein the desired power level is determined based on one or moreof: a user profile, a subscription level of a user, particularpromotions being offered related to an identified user or to generalusers and demographic information of a user.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the desired power level is determined based on demographicinformation associated with the vehicle profile.
 13. A portableelectrical energy storage device security system for a portableelectrical energy storage device, comprising: a controller; and acommunications module coupled to the controller, wherein the controlleris configured to: receive information to authenticate a vehicle; make adetermination to allow the vehicle to be powered by the portableelectrical energy storage device based on the received information; andregulate an energy release from the portable electrical energy storagedevice based on a desired power level in the received informationwherein the information regarding authentication of the vehicle includesdemographic information regarding a user associated with the vehicle,and wherein the desired power level is associated with the demographicinformation.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the demographicinformation includes an income level of the user associated with vehicleprofile.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the demographic informationincludes an age of the user associated with vehicle profile.
 16. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the demographic information includes agender of the user associated with vehicle profile.
 17. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the demographic information includes a marital statusof the user associated with vehicle profile.
 18. A portable electricalenergy storage device, comprising: a battery cell; and a security systemoperably coupled to the cell, the security system being configured to:receive information verifying a maximum release rate for the portableelectrical energy storage device; and control an energy release from theportable electrical energy storage device based on the verified maximumrelease rate wherein the verified maximum release rate is determinedbased on a vehicle profile.
 19. The portable electrical energy storagedevice of claim 18; wherein the security system comprises: a processor;a communications module coupled to the processor; and aprocessor-readable memory that stores instructions executable by theprocessor to cause the processor to: regulate the energy release basedon demographic information regarding a user.
 20. The portable electricalenergy storage device of claim 18, wherein the verified maximum releaserate desired power level is determined based on demographic informationassociated with the vehicle profile.